HSH Pickups for Ibanez S Series/RGD? (Petrucci Prog Metal)

[Poetic Justice]

Hi there. I've already kind of had a discussion with Nolly about this, but thought I'd see other people's opinions. I've had some more ideas so I thought I'd start a thread in hope to get the widest info possible.

I'm after a a HSH set for either my Ibanez S Series (Thin Mahogany Body/Maple Neck) or my Ibanez RGD (Basswood Body/Maple neck) that can play Prog Metal very good. I'm still undecided on what guitar atm. I'm kind of weighing up pros and cons.

I've heard many people say the Alnico Nailbomb is the best for this music, with the Ceramic Nailbomb being better if I want them exact Petrucci tones. when discussing with Nolly (before I found out about this deal with the Petrucci/Nailbomb perfect combo), I was originally set on the Rebel Yell, and I wanted to know if the Rebel Yell really is a better choice over the A/C-Bomb for Petrucci tones? I just love to play them complex metal riffs, but still have the tone to play them awesome solos, on the bridge pickup that he does.

Regarding the neck, me and Nolly discussed the VHII; but then I learned that the Cold Sweat neck would be more suited to that kinda music. How does the VHII compare the Cold Sweat?

Cheers, Cameron

[Nephilim]

Could you please wait until I've swapped the guitar with you first lol. I may not want to yet! haha

[Telerocker]

I think Nailbomb/Cold Sweat is the set to go for. Cold Sweat has more output then the VHII and does nice fluid leads. VHII is more vintage, sounds woodier then the CS.

Just my 2 cents.

[Poetic Justice]

Would you say the Nailbomb is a better bet than the Rebel Yell then? I'm just torn beyond absolute belief between the 2. I hear the Rebel Yell is more articulate, has a tighter bottom end and has more presence; so wouldn't this be that tad bit better for Prog Metal and Instrumental music? I've heard plenty of Nailbomb recordings for both styles, and they sound great (which kinda does make me want the Nailbombs more), but I just wanted to be absolutely sure. If I did go for the Nailbombs, should I go Ceramic or Alnico?

Regarding the neck, I will probably go for the Cold Sweat then. Also I wondered, how does this compare to the Nailbomb neck for shredding solos, as well as cleans for arpeggiated chords and clean solos?

[Poetic Justice]

Oh, and will the Nailbomb/Coldsweat set work equally as well in a basswood RGD, as well as a very thin bodied mahogany S Series?

[Dubhghaill]

I've got a Cold Sweat neck pickup in my Ibanez S (and a Warpig bridge pickup). I could DI record something if you want an idea of how it sounds.

[Youth And Whiskey]

I've got a Cold Sweat neck pickup in my Ibanez S (and a Warpig bridge pickup). I could DI record something if you want an idea of how it sounds.

I'd want to hear this :) I'm getting a Holy Diver Bridge, but torn between the HD neck and the CS neck

[Telerocker]

The CS has a bit more output and is praised for the fluid necktones, which is good for contemporary solotones.

[Dubhghaill]

I've attached a clip of me playing some random bits from all over the fretboard. I'm not a very a good guitarist so I just played any old cr@p! If there's something in particular you want to hear, let me know. I'll try to sort it.

I recorded straight from the Cold Sweat into my audio interface at -20dB. Volume and tone on the guitar both on full. I'm tuned to D standard with D'Addario EXL145 (.012-.054) strings.